Today's power hedge trimmers are so efficient they can help you groom your hedges and bushes neatly and leave you with time to go shopping for more lawn care equipment -- or to try out that new hammock. Hedge trimmers come in cordless, electric and gas models and in a wide range of prices. A cordless trimmer is great for touch-ups and small jobs. A corded electric hedge trimmer will suit the majority of homeowners since it offers ease of use and clean running. But folks with big jobs and/or large yards will want the more powerful cutting ability and portability of a gas model. Fortunately, several choices are available in each category from a number of different manufacturers. Here's few models we've recently reviewed.

Black & Decker HedgeHog HH2450 Electric Hedge Trimmer

Black & Decker HedgeHog hedge trimmers have been homeowner favorites for several years with good reason: they're reliable and efficient. The Black & Decker HedgeHog HH2450 electric hedge trimmer features a 24-inch blade for a long reach and an in-line body for easy handling. It will cut up to 3/4-inch diameter branches. The HedgeHog HH2450 is well built and easy to use. Its blades are single edged, which means you can cut in just one direction. The dual-reciprocating action ensures a clean cut and less vibration. This HedgeHog HH2450 weighs just 6.2 pounds and comes fully assembled.

Black & Decker HedgeHog HH2450 electric hedge trimmer

Black & Decker HedgeHog NHT518 Cordless Hedge Trimmer

The Black & Decker HedgeHog NHT518 does an excellent job for a cordless hedge trimmer. An 18-volt rechargeable battery supplies power to the 22-inch dual-action blade. A full battery charge should give you up to 40 minutes of working time. Because the blade is single edged, you can cut in just one direction. The NHT518 makes a great cleanup tool when you don't want to drag out the big guns, and it offers more than enough power to do small jobs. It comes with one battery and charger. The battery is the same type used on some of other cordless Black & Decker tools, so if you own these tools you could share the battery among them, which is nice.

Craftsman 79957 Electric Hedge Trimmer

The 79957 electric hedge trimmer (Sears item 07179957000) is another proven product from Craftsman. It offers 22-inch single-sided, dual-action blades at an affordable price. Single-sided blades can cut in only one direction, but the dual action offers a clean cut. The 79957 weighs just 7.6 pounds, and will cut branches nearly 3/4 inch in diameter. It is rather noisy for an electric model and vibrates more than some comparable models, but its modest price makes it a good deal for most homeowners who need a simple and efficient hedge trimmer.

Garden Groom Pro Electric Hedge Trimmer

The Garden Groom Pro electric hedge trimmer adds a new dimension to grooming your bushes and hedges. It cleans up after itself by shredding the clippings into a container. You can then dispose of the reduced debris or use it as mulch. Since its cutting blade is concealed, the Garden Groom Pro offers safer operator use than most other hedge trimmers. The round cutting head of this model allows you to cut in any direction, which often makes the chore of trimming hedges go more quickly. And what's more, with these innovations the Pro still cuts branches up to at least 1/2-inch neatly and cleanly.

Husqvarna 123HD60 Gas Hedge Trimmer

The gas-powered 123HD60 is the newest addition to Husqvarna's line of residential hedge trimmers. This model starts easily thanks to the efficient recoil starter system, and it runs with proven Husqvarna reliability. The 22-inch blades cut in either direction with their dual-reciprocating action, so they lessen the time it takes to trim your hedges. This gas unit has plenty of power and cuts branches more than 1/2 inch in diameter. The 123HD60 offers total portability, but is noisy and requires the mixing of fuel as do all two-cycle engines.

Little Wonder 1920 Electric Hedge Trimmer

The Little Wonder 1920 electric hedge trimmer is a winner. It's not bargain priced, but it's still a good selection. The Little Wonder cuts up to 1/2-inch-diameter branches with its 19-inch blades. This hedge trimmer uses dual-reciprocating action of its double-sided blades to make clean, healthy cuts to your bushes and hedges. You can cut in either direction with this model. Little Wonder emphasizes safety, featuring switches on each handle that must be depressed simultaneously to make the tool cut.